Pearl Records Promotes Glenn Noblit

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Glenn Noblit

Pearl Records’ Glenn Noblit has been promoted to Director, National Promotion. He previously served as Director of Regional Promotion, and has worked in a variety of roles ranging from publicity to radio promotion for more than two decades. He has served in roles at Warner Brothers, Lost Highway, AristoMedia, and Reviver Records.

“Glenn was the very first call I received as soon as we made the announcement to build out Pearl’s promotion team in the summer of 2016,” shared Mandy McCormack, SVP Radio Promotion & Marketing, Artist Strategy. “I could tell from that initial conversation that he brought the energy and ‘Garth passion’ I was looking for to be part of the Pearl family. From that moment on, his work ethic, to his passion, to his attention to detail and to his overall good-hearted approach…he has proven to be one of the very best in the business and we are extremely fortunate to have Glenn as a leader on our team.”

“I couldn’t be more grateful to Garth, Trisha, Mandy, Lesly and Andy for their confidence in me on this awesome promotion,” added Noblit. “This is my dream job and I can’t wait to see all of our country radio family at a Dive Bar or Stadium near YOU in 2020!”

Noblit can be reached at glennnoblit@PearlRecordsinc.com.

Mandisa Releases New Single “Way Maker”

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Mandisa. Photo: mandisaofficial.com

Mandisa is kicking off the New Year with the release of a new single, “Way Maker.” The song follows her chart-topping 2017 album Out of the Dark, which featured the radio hits “Unfinished” and “Bleed the Same” (featuring Tobymac, Kirk Franklin).

“There’s something really powerful about declaring who God is over specific circumstances,” said Mandisa of the new single. “I’ll never forget being in church as the worship team led us in singing ‘Way Maker’. At the time, I was praying for three of my friends who were facing seemingly impossible situations. With outstretched arms, tears streaming down my face, and faith rising in my heart, I proclaimed that my God is a Way Maker, Miracle Worker, Promise Keeper, and Light in the Darkness. I believe every word of this song, and love singing it with my whole heart!”

After appearing on Winter Jam 2019 and wrapping her own Girls Night Live Tour last Fall, Mandisa will hit the road on Feb. 6 with Newsboys on their “Greatness of God” Tour. Her song “Overcomer” will also appear tonight on ABC News’ 20/20 during a new special hosted by Robin Roberts featuring more in depth interviews regarding the Cleveland girls who were held captive by Ariel Castro for 10 years.

YouTube video

Brandi Carlile, Brittany Howard, Coldplay, Jonas Brothers To Headline Citi Sound Vault Series

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Brandi Carlile

Brandi Carlile, Brittany Howard, Coldplay and the Jonas Brothers will headline the Citi Sound Vault concert series, set for the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles during Grammy Week.

Coldplay will perform Jan. 21, with proceeds from their performance supporting “A New Way of Life” Reentry Project, a nonprofit which offers housing and support to formerly incarcerated women.

Howard, who is nominated for two Grammys this year for her solo work, including Best Rock Song and Best Rock Performance, will perform Jan. 22.

Carlile, a three-time Grammy winner who is nominated for an additional three honors this year including Song of the Year, Best Country Song, and Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group, will perform Jan. 23.

The Jonas Brothers will perform on Jan. 25. The week will conclude with Citi Sound Vault presents The Roots & Friends, set for Jan. 25 at Live House Hollywood. For more than a decade, The Roots have hosted one of the most anticipated events during Grammy Week.

Industry Ink: Jimmy Wheeler, Robby Turner, The Steeles

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Jimmy Wheeler Feted At Provident Goodbye Luncheon

Pictured (L-R): Terry Hemmings, Jimmy Wheeler.

Jimmy Wheeler was celebrated at a goodbye luncheon hosted by Provident Label President Terry Hemmings and the Provident Team, to celebrate Wheeler’s 30 years with Provident/Sony Music. His career with the label included positions ranging from Sales, Radio, Marketing, and Distribution, and the luncheon was heavily attended with over 100 guests including colleagues, artists, managers and others. Wheeler’s official last day with the company was Dec. 31, 2019. Wheeler can be reached at jimmywheeler090@gmail.com or 615-210-7772.

 

Robby Turner Recovering From Auto Accident

Robby Turner. Photo: Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

Pedal steel player Robby Turner has been hospitalized after a serious auto accident last Tuesday (Dec. 31, 2019). His truck was totaled in the accident in Nashville as he was driving home from a gig.

Turner has recorded with artists including the Dixie Chicks, Jamey Johnson, Chris Stapleton, Sturgill Simpson, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and Randy Travis. He has also recorded and toured with the Highwaymen. In July 2019, Turner was celebrated as part of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Nashville Cats series.

A Go Fund Me page has been set up for those wanting to help pitch in for Robby’s medical expenses.

 

The Steeles Ink With StowTown Records

(L-R): Nate Goble (StowTown co-owner), Jeff Steele, Ernie Haase (StowTown co-founder), Brad Steele, Wayne Haun (StowTown co-founder)

The Steeles, comprised of Jeff and Sherry Steele and their son Brad, have signed with StowTown Records. The Steeles’ first StowTown project will release in Spring 2020, and the first single will ship to radio later this month.

“I worked with The Steeles 25 years ago,” said Stowtown co-owner and producer Wayne Haun. “Most gospel music fans know our rich history together. It’s been at least 10 years since I last got to work with them and this just feels like going back home. Not much has changed – except Brad has grown up to be a powerhouse musician and songwriter in his own right!”

Concord Names Amanda Molter As Deputy General Counsel

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Amanda Molter

Concord has named Amanda Molter as Deputy General Counsel. Molter will be based in Concord’s Nashville office, and will report to Chief Business Affairs Officer and General Counsel Larry Blake.

Molter was previously Assistant General Counsel and Director for Barings, LLC, where she advised Barings’ global real estate, private equity and real assets platform Alternative Investments Group. Molter also practiced at Latham & Watkins LLP for a decade as a member of the Investment Funds group. She holds a B.S. from the University of California, Davis and a J.D. from UCLA School of Law, where she served on Law Review and graduated as a member of the Order of the Coif.

“Amanda brings a brilliant intellect and a wealth of experience in corporate and financial matters that will be invaluable as Concord continues to grow and expand and as the business environment in which we operate becomes more and more complex,” Blake said.  “We are thrilled to have her on the Concord team.”

Molter stated, “I am excited to join the Concord family and look forward to working with Larry and the rest of the talented leadership team to support the company’s strong growth trajectory with integrity and efficiency.”

Concord has offices in Nashville, Los Angeles, New York, Berlin, London, and Miami, and includes Concord Recorded Music, Concord Music Publishing, and Concord Theatricals.

Lady Antebellum Welcomes Jake Owen, Maddie & Tae For Ocean 2020 Tour

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Following the release of Ocean, Lady Antebellum‘s first album for BMLG Records, the trio will launch their Ocean 2020 Tour on May 21 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. They will welcome openers Jake Owen and Maddie & Tae on the new tour.

The Ocean 2020 Tour will visit Los Angeles, Phoenix, Indianapolis, and more, before concluding at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Sept. 12.

“After our Vegas residency and working on this record for the past year we are itching to get back out on the road and see how the fans gravitate to some of the deeper cuts off of Ocean,” Lady Antebellum member Charles Kelley said. “We’ve missed those huge crowd sing-alongs and we are looking forward to having Jake Owen and Maddie & Tae light up the stage every night. May can’t come fast enough.”

The trio joined Owen and Maddie & Tae at Santa’s Pub in Nashville recently to try out a few songs. See the video, as well as tour dates, below:

YouTube video

Ocean 2020 Tour Dates:

5/21/2020  Albuquerque, NM – Isleta Amphitheater
5/22/2020  Phoenix, AZ – Ak- Chin Pavilion
5/23/2020  San Diego, CA – North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre
5/28/2020  Sacramento, CA – Toyota Amphitheatre
5/29/2020  Mountain View, CA – Shoreline Amphitheatre
5/30/2020  Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Bowl
6/13/2020  Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center
6/14/2020  Hartford, CT – Xfinity Theatre
6/18/2020  Gilford, NH – Bank of NH Pavilion
6/19/2020  Bangor, ME – Darling’s Waterfront Pavilion
6/20/2020  Mansfield, MA – Xfinity Center
6/25/2020  Cleveland, OH – Blossom Music Center
6/26/2020  Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center
6/27/2020  Atlanta, GA – Ameris Bank Amphitheatre
7/10/2020  Omaha, NE – CHI Health Center Omaha
7/16/2020  Bethel, NY – Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
7/17/2020  Pittsburgh, PA
7/18/2020  Indianapolis, IN – Ruoff Music Center
7/23/2020  Birmingham, AL – Oak Mountain Amphitheatre
7/24/2020  Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion
7/25/2020  Raleigh, NC – Coastal Credit Union Music Park @ Walnut Creek
7/31/2020  Jacksonville, FL – Daily’s Place
8/01/2020  Tampa, FL – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amp
8/02/2020  West Palm Beach, FL – Coral Sky Amphitheater
8/06/2020  Virginia Beach, VA – Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater at Virginia Beach
8/07/2020  Wantagh, NY – Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater
8/08/2020  Bristow, VA – Jiffy Lube Live
8/15/2020  St. Louis, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
8/16/2020  Chicago, IL – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
8/21/2020  Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage
8/22/2020  Detroit, MI – DTE Energy Music Theatre
8/27/2020  Rogers, AR – Walmart AMP
8/28/2020  Dallas, TX – Dos Equis Pavilion
8/29/2020  Houston, TX – Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion presented by Huntsman
9/04/2020  Philadelphia, PA – BB&T Pavilion
9/05/2020  Saratoga Springs, NY – Saratoga Performing Arts Center
9/06/2020  Syracuse,NY – St. Joseph’s Health Amphitheater at Lakeview
9/10/2020  Knoxville, TN – Thompson – Bowling Arena
9/11/2020  Southaven, MS – Landers Center
9/12/2020  Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena

FBMM Promotes Abby Middlemas

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Business management firm FBMM has promoted Abby Middlemas to account manager.

“Abby has been a valuable asset to our team for the past four years,” said FBMM owner Duane Clark. “She has proved herself a reliable resource to her clients, and has shown the depth of her financial management knowledge throughout her time here. We’re proud to have her on our team.”

Middlemas joined the company in 2015, and previously worked in management and fashion. She served as an independent stylist for The Block Agency, and as a department manager at Nordstrom in California. Middlemas also worked for over a year as an underwriter at Liberty Mutual Insurance Company. She is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign.

Lauren Daigle, Orville Peck, Lil Nas X Join Coachella Lineup

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After dropping hints on social media last night (Jan. 2), The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival revealed its full performer lineup for 2020, set for April 10-12 and 17-19 in Indio, California.

A few artists with Nashville ties are on the bill. Lil Nas X, who with Billy Ray Cyrus broke the record earlier this year for the most weeks atop Billboard’s Hot 100 with his inescapable hit “Old Town Road,” will join the lineup on April 12 and 19.

CCM-to-pop crossover star Lauren Daigle has also been added to the lineup for April 12 and 19. Last year, Daigle made history with her album Look Up Child, which earned the longest reign on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart, with 39 weeks at No. 1, surpassing 38-week record set by Switchfoot’s The Beautiful Letdown in 2004-2005. On Jan. 18, Daigle will launch her World Tour, beginning in Melbourne, Australia. Following shows in Sydney, Brisbane, and in New Zealand, the tour will return stateside for shows in New York, Nashville, Dallas, Boston and more.

Masked country singer Orville Peck will join Coachella on April 11 and 18. He has garnered press coverage in publications including GQ Style, Los Angeles Times, Vice, and The Guardian. He recently released the video for his song “Nothing Fades Like The Light,” from his debut album Pony. The song was recently featured on the HBO show Watchmen. This year, he is also set to perform at the Stagecoach and Shaky Knees festivals.

Rage Against The Machine will reunite for the first time since 2011 to headline Coachella’s lineup on April 10 and 17, while Travis Scott will headline on April 11 and 18, with Frank Ocean leading on April 12 and 19.

Last year, Childish Gambino, Ariana Grande and Tame Impala headlined Coachella, which also featured country star Kacey Musgraves and Nashville pop artist Soccer Mommy as part of the lineup.

Mark Your Calendar—January 2020

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Industry Events

January 3, 2020
Final round voting ends for 62nd Grammy Awards

January 21, 2020
CMA Touring Awards

January 26, 2020
62nd Grammy Awards Air Live

 

Single Add Dates

January 6, 2020
Thomas Rhett feat. Jon Pardi/Beer Can’t Fix/The Valory Music Co.

January 13, 2020
Zac Brown Band/Leaving Love Behind/ZB Collective/BMG/Wheelhouse
Adam Doleac/Famous/Arista Nashville
Tenille Arts/Somebody Like That/Reviver Records
Rayne Johnson/Front Seat/Studio2Bee/Legend

January 20, 2020
Midland/Cheatin’ Songs/Big Machine Records
Richard Schroder/We All Start Somewhere/Amplifier Nashville

 

Album Releases

January 10, 2020
Tenille Arts/Love, Heartbreak, & Everything in Between/Reviver Records/19th & Grand Records
Ronnie Dunn/Re-Dunn

January 17, 2020
Dustin Lynch/Tullahoma/Broken Bow Records
Little Big Town/Nightfall/UMG Nashville

MusicRow’s Top 100 Songwriters Of 2019

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Ashley Gorley. Photo: Josh Ulmer

2019 proved to be a prosperous year for these elite songwriters who saw the most chart success on the weekly MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart. Using algorithms based upon song activity according to airplay, digital downloaded track sales and streams, these 100 songwriters were on top in 2019.

There are 13 female songwriters within the top 100—which is made up of 115 songwriters because of tied scores—including: Hillary Lindsey (No. 5), Laura Veltz (No. 6), Maren Morris (No. 21), Nicolle Galyon (No. 32), Carrie Underwood (No. 38), Kelsea Ballerini (No. 40), Parker Welling (No. 57), Allison Veltz Cruz (No. 58), Sarah Aarons (No. 59), Natalie Hemby (No. 62), Alysa Vanderheym (No. 78), Heather Morgan (No. 80) and Connie Harrington (No. 90).

While maintaining the pinnacle position on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart for 39 out of 49 charts, and being in the top 3 all year, Ashley Gorley comes out of 2019 the MusicRow Top Songwriter of the year. Aggregating chart data from each weekly MusicRow Top Songwriters Charts of 2019, Gorley had the most credits from the co-written songs that charted in 2019.

Songs that made Gorley the No. 1 Top Songwriter of 2019 were Luke Bryan’s “What Makes You Country,” Chase Rice’s “Eyes On You,” Eli Young Band’s “Love Ain’t,” Dierks Bentley’s “Living,” Chris Janson’s “Good Vibes,” Lee Brice’s “Rumor,” Thomas Rhett’s “Remember You Young,” and more. Gorley also won his seventh ASCAP Songwriter of the Year award in November.

HARDY. Photo: Robby Klein

Michael Hardy—otherwise known as HARDY—takes the No. 2 slot on the list of 2019 hit-makers. The artist-writer had a stellar year, being nominated for MusicRow‘s Breakthrough Artist-Writer of the Year and winning AIMP’s Rising Writer/Artist Award. Songs that propelled HARDY were Blake Shelton’s “God’s Country,” Florida Georgia Line’s “Talk You Out Of It,” Chris Lane’s “I Don’t Know About You,” LoCash’s “One Big Country Song,” his own “Rednecker,” and more.

Luke Combs. Photo: Jim Wright

Chart-champion Luke Combs is at No. 3 in the top 100 songwriters, with writer credits on songs including his own “Beer Never Broke My Heart,” “What You See Is What You Get,” “Refrigerator Door,” and “Even Though I’m Leaving,” as well as the Carly Pearce and Lee Brice duet, “I Hope You’re Happy Now.” Combs took home two honors at the annual CMA Awards, including Male Vocalist of the Year and Song of the Year for “Beautiful Crazy,” which he wrote alongside Wyatt Durrette (No. 25) and Robert Williford (No. 60).

Ross Copperman. Photo: Kelly Taylor

Ross Copperman takes the No. 4 slot this year, with songs like Dierks Bentley’s “Living,” Eli Young Band’s “Love Ain’t,” Brett Young’s “Catch,” and Kenny Chesney’s “Tip Of My Tongue” and “Get Along” propelling him. Copperman was honored with BMI’s 2019 Songwriter of the Year, tied with Nicolle Galyon (No. 32).

Hillary Lindsey. Photo: Becky Fluke

Hillary Lindsey rounds out the top five on the MusicRow Top Songwriters of 2019. Lindsey is nominated with her co-writers Natalie Hemby (No. 62), Lady Gaga and Lori McKenna for their song on the A Star Is Born film, “Always Remember Us This Way,” at the upcoming Grammy Awards. Lindsey is also nominated for Best Country Song (“It All Comes Out In The Wash”), and for Best Song Written For Visual Media (“I’ll Never Love Again”).

Lindsey also won MusicRow‘s Female Songwriter of the Year at the 31st annual MusicRow Awards and was awarded the ASCAP Global Impact Award at the 2019 ASCAP Awards.

MusicRow‘s Top 100 Songwriters of 2019:
1. Ashley Gorley
2. Michael Hardy
3. Luke Combs
4. Ross Copperman
5. Hillary Lindsey
6. Laura Veltz
7. Shane McAnally
8. Jordan M. Schmidt
9. Ben Burgess
10. Kevin Kadish
11. Jon Nite
12. Shay Mooney
13. David Garcia
14. Bobby Pinson
15. Brock Berryhill
16. Josh Osborne
17. Zach Crowell
18. Blanco Brown
19. Brett James
20. Jeffery Hyde
21. Maren Morris
22. Eric Church
23. Jordan Reynolds, Dan Smyers
24. Jesse Frasure
25. Wyatt Durrette
26. Hunter Phelps
27. Rhett Akins
28. Jameson Rodgers
29. Kevin Welch
30. Gordie Sampson
31. Thomas Rhett
32. Nicolle Galyon
33. Trevor Rosen
34. Kane Brown
35. Matthew Ramsey
36. Jonathan Singleton
37. Ryan Hurd
38. Carrie Underwood
39. Cary Barlowe
40. Kelsea Ballerini
41. Chris DeStefano
42. Devin Dawson
43. Randy Montana
44. Riley Green
45. Tony Lane
46. Sam Ellis
47. Jimmy Robbins
48. Erik Dylan
49. Corey Crowder
50. Jordan Davis
51. Lee Brice, Kyle Jacobs
52. Cole Swindell, Brandon Kinney
53. Barry Dean
54. Josh Miller
55. Ryan Tyndell
56. Brad Tursi
57. Russell Dickerson, Parker Welling, Casey Brown
58. Matt Stell, Ash Bowers, Allison Veltz Cruz
59. Sarah Aarons, Greg Kurstin
60. Robert Williford
61. Brantley Gilbert
62. Natalie Hemby
63. Chris Young
64. Josh Dunne
65. Brett Warren, Brad Warren
66. Luke Laird
67. David Hodges, Brett McLaughlin
68. Brett Young
69. Kelley Lovelace
70. Neil Thrasher
71. Chase Rice
72. Taylor Phillips
73. Chris Janson
74. Chase McGill
75. Dustin Lynch
76. Ray Fulcher
77. Justin Ebach
78. Alysa Vanderheym
79. Kenny Chesney, Ed Sheeran
80. Heather Morgan
81. Brett Eldredge
82. Jimmie Allen
83. Justin Moore, Jeremy Stover
84. Paul DiGiovanni
85. Jon Green
86. Tyler Hubbard
87. Tofer Brown
88. Shy Carter
89. Billy Montana, Phillip LaRue
90. Connie Harrington
91. Scotty McCreery
92. Will Weatherly
93. Matthew McGinn
94. Michael Ray
95. Lee Thomas Miller
96. Jon Pardi
97. Andy Albert
98. Dierks Bentley
99. Lonnie Lee Fowler
100. Bryan Kennedy, Garth Brooks, Mitch Rossell